Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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LEMON EXTRACT AND TREATMENT METHODS
The present invention relates to an extract derived from lemons and more
particularly, relates to a lemon extract and methods for using the lemon
extract.
It had been proposed in the art to utilize ascorbic acid to inactivate certain
viruses. Ascorbic acid, also known as vitamin C, is present in many products
and
there have been proposals such as taught in U.S. Patent 4,021,548 that
grapefruit pulp
can be extracted to have a product with anti-fungal and anti-bacterial
activities. U.S.
Patent 4,468,372 teaches the use of a grapefruit seed extract to destroy air
born
bacteria. It is also taught in U.S. Patents 5,425,944 and 5,631,001 that
grapefruit
seeds and pulp may be useful against certain bacteria, fungi and viruses.
In the art, there is no teaching of the use of an extract derived from lemons.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a lemon extract which is
useful as a virucide, bacteriacide and funguscide.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a method for the
treatment of various indications using an extract from lemon.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a method for the
manufacture of an extract of lemon.
Some of the explanations given as to the possible mechanism for the
functioning of the lemon extract is based on what is presently understood.
However,
it will be understood that the invention is not limited to any one theory;
rather, these
theories are given only by way of a possible explanation of the results
achieved.
According to the present invention, the pulp and seeds of the lemon, which are
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obtained as a by-product of the juice extraction process, are dried and ground
into a
fine powder. Subsequently, the powder is dissolved in purified water and then
distilled to remove the fiber and pectin. The distilled slurry is spray dried
at low
temperatures forming a concentrated bioflavonioid powder.
Subsequently, the concentrated powder is dissolved in a distilled water and
heated. Preferably, an optional step, food grade ascorbic acid is added and
the
mixture is heated under pressure. One or more catalysts selected from a group
including hydrochloric acid and natural enzymes may be added so that the
material
undergoes a catalytic conversion. The resulting slurry is skimmed and
filtered, cooled
and then treated with ultraviolet light.
The resulting product has ascorbic acid in a range of between 25 mg/g and
30 mg/g. There is no trace of hydrochloric acid.
The pulp and seeds, when originally dried as a by-product of the extracted
juice industry, is a liquid which contains many polyphenolic compounds. The
polyphenols themselves are unstable, but are converted into more stable
substances
which belong to the group of compounds known as quanternary ammonium
compounds.
The final product is a very safe one. It is relatively stable and only the
standard
precautions need to be taken. It is generally not a skin irritant although it
can be an
irritant to the eyes and mucous membranes.
The uses of the extract according to the present invention are numerous. It
can
be used to treat humans and other animals including cats, dogs, cattle,
horses, hogs,
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fish, poultry, etc. It can be used for the treatment of skin diseases,
external injuries,
fungal infections and internally, conditions caused by parasitic, bacterial,
viral or
fungal infections.
Generally, for external use, one can use a solution containing between 50 to
10,000 ppm of the concentrated extract. For internal use, preferably the
concentrated
extract is present in the solution between 15 and S00 ppm.
For skin fungi, parasitic or bacterial diseases of the skin, a solution of
between
100 and 200 ppm would be placed on a skin or fur for a few minutes and then
rinsed.
The solution could also be used for hoof care on animals and the like.
Examples of uses and suggested concentrations are given in the table below.
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T A B L E
PPM One Ounce(30m1)One Drop Drops per Common Applications,
(parts per of Concentrateof ConcentrateGallon (4.L.)Suggested Uses:
million) in: in: of Concentrate
in:
10,000 One Gallon One-half 1250 Cosmetics.
Tsp.
(1 Percent)(3.78 liters) (3 ml.) Surgical equipment.
Healing of Skin infections,
burns,
wounds.
1,000 Ten Gallons One ounce 120-130 Disinfectant & preservative
for
(0.1 percent)(37 liters) (30 ml.) fresh fish, poultry,
meat.
Cosmetics.
Mold.
Final rinse for fruits
& vegetables
Surface disinfectant.
500 20 Gallons Two ounces 60-65 Disinfectant & preservative
for
(75 liters) (60 ml.) fish, poultry, meat,
' fruits &
vegetables.
Add to water for Cut
Flowers.
Animal feed additive.
General surface disinfectant.
Soa makin . Mold.
250 40 Gallons Four ounces30-32 Atomize cut flowers.
(150 liters) (120 ml.) Animal feed additive.
Water treatment.
Algae.
Mold.
Food preservative & antioxidant.
Cro s ra .
100 100 Gallons Ten ounces 10-12 Ice Additive (fish case).
(378 liters) (300 ml.) Crop spray.
Animal feed additive.
Mold.
Algae.
Water treatment.
Food reservative
50 200 Gallons Twenty 5-6 Water Treatment.
(756 liters) ounces Crop spray.
600 ml. Food reservative.
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The product, as above mentioned, is not irritating to skin although if
undiluted
on the tongue, could cause irritation. It is non-corrosive to metal, wood,
fabric,
plastic, painted surfaces, etc. Although it is a powerful anti-oxidant, it is
non-toxic,
non-volatile and does not alter the smell or flavor of produce or other foods
in normal
dilutions. It could be applied right up until harvest and through the
shipping,
handling and storage phases without concern. It can be used with people and/or
animals present in the area. There is no build-up in the soil. Any residue and
application tools is actually a desirable attribute. The product is
biodegradable and
does not pollute. It should be noted, however, that extremely hard water or
water with
high levels of chlorine may require an increased concentration for effective
results.
The product can be applied by spray (from the ground or the air) or can be
metered into the water supply for greenhouses and hydroponic operations. When
making large batches, for maximum effectiveness, it is important to obtain a
homogeneous mixture of the product. It is therefore recommended to make a pre-
mixture in a lesser quantity of liquid, and then admix with the rest. Liquid
or
powdered product can be mixed into seedbeds, potting soil, mulch, fertilizer,
and
compost. When watering houseplants or small lots, 5 to 10 drops of the product
per
gallon are sufficient to keep pathogens at bay.
The product is most effective against microscopic organisms, but it is
effective
against larger farm and garden pests. This is true especially of soft-bodies
pests such
as aphids and slugs. Japanese beetles and other hard-shelled bugs are not as
easily
inhibited, but they do respond. A combination of the product and cayenne
pepper can
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be especially effective, and even more so when combined with garlic. The
product
can be combined with numerous other agents, as indicated, without any known
"interactivities" or "contraindications". The product is biodegradable, so
concern for
earthworms and beneficial bacteria are minimal. (In humans and animals, the
product
does not disturb the beneficial bacteria in the intestines with normal
dosages).
The product mixes well with virtually all solvents, including water, alcohol,
and organic solvents. Some examples of certain uses are as follows:
Processing Rooms and Manufacturing Equipment
Where a pathogen-free environment is necessary (a sprout house, for example),
please follow these instructions:
After washing with water and neutral detergent, rinse or spray with a 1:5000
of
the product solution, allowing to air dry, or dry with a clean cotton cloth.
(In the
process, it is recommended to double the strength of the solution to 1:2500,
or 40 mL
per 100 liters).
Processing of Fresh Cheeses
To avoid premature fermentation caused by pathogenic organisms, as well as to
prevent oxidation and spoilage, immerse cheese rapidly in a 1:5000 of the
product
solution (20 mL per 100 liters of water).
Treatment of Ripe Cheeses
To avoid contamination with fungi and pathogenic microorganisms, it is
recommended that the area where the cheeses are kept be sprayed on a weekly
basis
with a product solution of 1:5000. The spraying should Include all surfaces,
trays,
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shelves, utensils, etc.
Additional Advantages of the Product
The product, even undiluted, is not irritating to skin and mucous membranes.
The product is non-corrosive to metal, wood, fabric, plastic, painted
surfaces,
etc.
The product has very high anti-oxidant power, yet is non-toxic, non-volatile,
and does not alter the flavor of foods (meat, eggs, milk, etc.).
The product can be used with people and/or animals present in the area, which
means quarantine is not necessary for immediate occupation or use.
The product is biodegradable and does not pollute the environment.
The product also makes an effective feed additive for preserving and
disinfecting of all feed and water (Apply at 50 - 250 ppm). At higher
concentrations
(one drop per l Okg live weight, up to three times per day), added to feed or
water or
sprayed in mouth, the product is an aggressive germicidal and anti-parasitic
that will
fight disease, stimulate absorption of nutrients and work as an anti-oxidant.
Dairy Industry Cleaning and Disinfection Program
The product can be used as a potent, broad-spectrum antimicrobial agent that
is
also safe to handle, is biodegradable, requires no special equipment, and is
non-
corrosive.
Milk Storage Tanks, Tank Trucks and Refrigeration Cellars
After washing with water and neutral detergent, eliminate the crusts of cream
and other particles, rinse the tank or other surfaces with a 1:5000 solution
of the
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product, letting the solution drip dry, without the necessity of further
rinsing.
For maximum et~ectiveness, it is important to obtain a homogeneous mixture
of the product. It is therefore recommended to make a pre-mixture in a lesser
quantity
of water, and then admix with the rest.
Stainless Steel Tubes and the entire Pasteurization System
For circulation systems, CIP, after washing with the base solution and the
acid
solution and rinsing with water, sanitize with the product for 3 to 5 minutes,
with a
solution ranging from 1:10,000 to 1:5000, with an average of 1:7500 (150 mL to
1000 liters of water).
When nebulizers are used, use a solution of 1:2500 (40 mL per 100 liters of
water), applying it for 3 to 5 minutes.
It is not necessary to rinse with water the next day, and the pasteurization
process may begin at once since the product is naturally organic, non-toxic,
does not
contaminate milk nor modify its organoleptic properties, and neither is it
corrosive to
any type of metallic material.
Other equipment Utilized in the Dairy Industry
Utensils used in the processing of cheese, butter, yogurt, ice cream, and
other
products may be disinfected, after a traditional wash, with the product 1:5000
solution. Spraying silos can be disinfected with a solution of 1:5000 to
1:7500, and
any other utensils may be submerged in a tank with a similar dilute solution.
The following are examples of the use of the present invention. The product
used in Examples 1 - 3 is a 150 ppm solution of the lemon extract above
described.
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Example 1
In this example, Listeria Monocytogenes ATCC # 15313 were exposed to the
product set forth above. The results were as follows:
Organism Control 1 Minute 2 Minutes 5 Minutes
Listeria cfu/mL cfu/mL cfu/mL cfu/mL
Monocytogenes
ATCC # 15313
12.4 x 105 <10 <10 <10
Log Reduction >6.09 >6.09 >6.09
Example 2
Organism Control 1 Minute 2 Minutes 5 Minutes
Campylobacter cfu/mL cfu/mL cfu/mL cfu/mL
jejuni
ATOC #29428
1.53106 <10 <10 <10
Reduction - >6.18 >6.18 >6.18
Example 3
The microorganisms, escherichia coli, staphylococcus aureus, salmonella
arizonae, at a concentration of approximately one million cfu, were placed in
a
container containing 10 mL of the product. After 120 seconds, samples of each
were
tested and there was no live colonies left.
Example 4
The microorganisms, staphylococcus aureus, staphylococcus epidermitis,
candida albicans, each at a concentration of approximately one million cfu,
were
placed individually in containers having 10 mL of the product at a
concentration of
0.16%. After 120 seconds, an aquelot was tested and each instance, there was
no
microbial activity present.
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It will be understood that the above described embodiments are for purposes of
illustration only and that changes or modifications may be made thereto
without
departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
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